Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers from the panic moth, Saucrobotys futilalis L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Pyraustinae)

Abstract

The panic moth is a widely distributed North American pyralid moth with gregarious, nest-building larvae. Primers for 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed to assay relatedness in nest groups and population structure in the eastern half of the moth's range. Primers were tested on 42 individuals (one from each of 42 nests) collected in the states of New York, Virginia and Georgia. All loci were polymorphic and exhibited varying degrees of allelic variation (4-24 alleles). These primers will enable further research into the social structure of these gregarious caterpillars. © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.